f CONQUEST OF MALAGA. 23 uneasiness; and deserters, who passed into Malaga, chapter XIII reported these particulars with the usual exaggera- '■ — tion, and encouraged the besieged to persevere, by the assurance that Ferdinand could not much longer keep the field, and that the queen had act- ually written to advise his breaking up the camp. Under these circumstances, Ferdinand saw at once the importance of the queen's presence in order to dispel the delusion of the enemy, and to give new heart to his soldiers. He accordingly sent a mes- sage to Cordova, where she was holding her court, requesting her appearance in the camp. Isabella had proposed to join her husband before The queen '■ "^ _ "^ visits the Velez, on receiving tidings of El Zagal's march ^"'^'• from Granada, and had actually enforced levies of all persons capable of bearing arms, between twenty and seventy years of age, throughout Andalusia, but subsequently disbanded them, on learning the dis- comfiture of the Moorish army. Without hesitation, she now set forward, accompanied by the cardinal of Spain and other dignitaries of the church, togeth- er with the Infanta Isabella, and a courtly train of ladies and cavaliers in attendance on her person. She was received at a short distance from the camp by the marquis of Cadiz and the grand- master of St. James, and escorted to her quarters amidst the enthusiastic greetings of the soldiery. Hope now brightened every countenance. A grace seemed to be shed over the rugged features of war ; and the young gallants thronged from all <{uarters to the camp, eager to win the guerdon of
